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Pender's Blog by Lee Pender, RCPU Editor

Tech Data Makes European Buys, Offers Licensing Support

First off, a note totally unrelated to anything else in this entry: It has been a long time -- way too long -- since we've run reader e-mails here at RCPU. So we're going to get back to that next week. But despite having received some great responses thus far, we still need your input on all sorts of issues: Microsoft downgrades, Oracle buying Sun, the power of netbooks or whatever else crosses your mind. Send your thoughts to lpender@rcpmag.com.

This hasn't been the most exciting news week of all time, but we do, at least, have some channel news to offer. Distribution giant Tech Data revealed this week that it has made some acquisitions in Europe, including buying part of a company with the ominous name Man and Machine.

Man and Machine sounds to us like the title of some '50s documentary or sci-fi film about the impending perils of technology, or maybe about how robots will completely enslave humans by the year 1975. (Has that actually happened, by the way? How often do you break away from your laptop or smartphone? Anyway...) We can hear the trailer now: "Man and Machine...a duo bound for conflict." Of course, our (very few) female readers would probably like the company better if it were called Person and Machine, and we don't blame them -- but that sounds a lot less scary.

Also in Tech Data news, the company is giving ISVs a hand by helping them navigate the Microsoft ISV Royalty Licensing Program. Presumably, this has nothing to do with teaching the crowned heads of Europe how to drive.